Today in history - Oct. 16

Today is Tuesday, Oct. 16, the 290th day of 2012. There are 76 days left in the year.

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Devils Lake Journal - Devils Lake, ND

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Posted Oct. 16, 2012 at 12:01 PM
Updated Oct 16, 2012 at 12:03 PM

Posted Oct. 16, 2012 at 12:01 PM
Updated Oct 16, 2012 at 12:03 PM

Today is Tuesday, Oct. 16, the 290th day of 2012. There are 76 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On Oct. 16, 1962, President John F. Kennedy was informed by national security adviser McGeorge Bundy that reconnaissance photographs had revealed the presence of missile bases in Cuba.

On this date:

In 1793, during the French Revolution, Marie Antoinette, the queen of France, was beheaded.

In 1859, radical abolitionist John Brown led a group of 21 men in a raid on Harpers Ferry in western Virginia. (Ten of Brown's men were killed and five escaped. Brown and six followers ended up being captured; all were executed.)

In 1901, Booker T. Washington dined at the White House as the guest of President Theodore Roosevelt, whose invitation to the black educator sparked controversy.

In 1912, the Boston Red Sox won the World Series, defeating the New York Giants in Game 8, 3-2 (Game 2 had ended in a tie on account of darkness).

In 1942, the ballet "Rodeo" (roh-DAY'-oh), with music by Aaron Copland and choreography by Agnes de Mille, premiered at New York's Metropolitan Opera House.

In 1943, Chicago Mayor Edward J. Kelly officially opened the city's new subway system during a ceremony at the State and Madison street station.

In 1952, the Charles Chaplin film "Limelight" premiered in London.

In 1962, the New York Yankees won the World Series, defeating the San Francisco Giants in Game 7 at Candlestick Park, 1-0.

In 1972, a twin-engine plane carrying U.S. House Majority Leader Hale Boggs, D-La., and U.S. Rep. Nick Begich, D-Alaska, disappeared while flying over a remote region of Alaska; the aircraft was never found.

In 1978, the College of Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church chose Cardinal Karol Wojtyla (voy-TEE'-wah) to be the new pope; he took the name John Paul II.

In 1987, a 58-1/2-hour drama in Midland, Texas, ended happily as rescuers freed Jessica McClure, an 18-month-old girl trapped in an abandoned well.

In 1991, a deadly shooting rampage took place in Killeen, Texas, as George Hennard opened fire at a Luby's Cafeteria, killing 23 people before taking his own life.

Ten years ago: President George W. Bush signed a congressional resolution authorizing war against Iraq. The White House announced that North Korea had disclosed it had a nuclear weapons program.

Five years ago: President George W. Bush welcomed the Dalai Lama to the White House for a half-hour meeting. Libya won a seat on the U.N. Security Council. Actress Deborah Kerr (kahr) died in Suffolk, England, at age 86. Barbara West Dainton, believed to be the next-to-last survivor from the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912, died in Camborne, England, at age 96.

One year ago: The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial was formally dedicated in Washington, D.C. Dan Wheldon, 33, died in a fiery 15-car wreck in the Las Vegas Indy 300. Danell Leyva became the first American man gymnast to win a gold medal at the World Championships since 2003, taking the parallel bars title in Tokyo. The St. Louis Cardinals captured their 18th NL pennant with a 12-6 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 6.